Persistent Pollution of Genetic Materials in a Typical Laboratory Environment

From the onset of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, there are concerns regarding the disease spread and environmental pollution of biohazard since studies on genetic engineering flourish and numerous genetic materials were used such as the nucleic acid test of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). In this work, we studied genetic material pollution in an institute during a development cycle of plasmid, one of typical genetic materials, with typical laboratory settings. The pollution source, transmission routes, and pollution levels in laboratory environment were examined. The Real-Time quantitative- Polymerase Chain Reaction results of all environmental mediums (surface, aerosol, and liquid) showed that a targeted DNA segment occurred along with routine experimental operations. Among the 79 surface and air samples collected in the genetic material operation, half of the environment samples (38 of 79) are positive for nucleic acid pollution. Persistent nucleic acid contaminations were observed in all tested laboratories and spread in the public area (hallway). The highest concentration for liquid and surface samples were 1.92×108 copies/uL and 5.22×107 copies/cm2, respectively. Significant amounts of the targeted gene (with a mean value of 74 copies/L) were detected in the indoor air of laboratories utilizing centrifuge devices, shaking tables, and cell homogenizers. Spills and improper disposal of plasmid products were primary sources of pollution. The importance of establishing designated experimental zones, employing advanced biosafety cabinets, and implementing highly efficient cleaning systems in laboratories with lower biosafety levels is underscored. Environmental implication In this study, we tracked the pollution spread of one synthesized gene segment in a typical laboratory environment. Our work showed that routine experiments of genetic materials in laboratories with low biosafety levels can cause the pollution in and out of laboratory. Persistent nucleic acid contaminations were observed in all tested laboratories and spread in the public area.The air samples were collected and assessed, which is substantially abundant compared to the airborne respiratory virus such as SARS-CoV-2 RNA in hospitals reported during the COVID-19. The aerosol-generating and induced pollution in laboratory experiments are overlooked. SYNOPSIS STATEMENT. Persistent environmental pollutions of genetic materials are introduced by typical experiments in laboratories with low biosafety level.